Blood Glucose Converter
Medically reviewed by our Medical review board
mg/dL
mmol/L
Reference Values
Normal (Fasting)
70-99 mg/dL
3.9-5.5 mmol/L
3.9-5.5 mmol/L
Pre-diabetes (Fasting)
100-125 mg/dL
5.6-6.9 mmol/L
5.6-6.9 mmol/L
Diabetes (Fasting)
≥126 mg/dL
≥7.0 mmol/L
≥7.0 mmol/L
Post-meal Target
<180 mg/dL
<10.0 mmol/L
<10.0 mmol/L
Note: These values are general guidelines. Individual target ranges should be determined by healthcare providers based on personal factors.
Overview
What is Blood Glucose?
Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is the primary source of energy for your body’s cells. It comes from the food you eat, especially carbohydrates, and is carried to cells through the bloodstream. The hormone insulin helps regulate the absorption of glucose into cells, maintaining a stable level of sugar in your blood.
Why is Blood Glucose Monitoring Important?
Monitoring your blood glucose is essential, especially for people with diabetes. Consistently high or low glucose levels can lead to both short-term symptoms and long-term complications. Regular monitoring helps:
- Track how food, activity, stress, and medications affect glucose levels
- Prevent hypo- or hyperglycemia
- Guide insulin dosage and treatment plans
- Reduce the risk of diabetes complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision problems
Blood Glucose Reference Ranges
Here are commonly accepted blood glucose targets for non-pregnant adults with diabetes:
| Timing | Target (mg/dL) | Target (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting / Before Meals | 80–130 | 4.4–7.2 |
| 1–2 Hours After Meals | < 180 | < 10.0 |
Note: These targets may vary depending on your age, type of diabetes, and any other health conditions. Always follow your doctor’s guidance.
How is Blood Glucose Measured?
- Fingerstick Glucose Meters: Provide instant blood sugar readings with a drop of blood.
- Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): Worn on the skin and provide real-time trends every few minutes.
- Lab Tests: Such as Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and HbA1c for long-term control insights.
Tips for Managing Blood Glucose
- Eat a balanced diet with consistent carbohydrate intake
- Stay physically active
- Take medications or insulin as prescribed
- Keep a record of your readings to spot patterns
- Manage stress and get adequate sleep
Maintaining your blood glucose within the target range significantly lowers your risk of long-term complications and improves your overall quality of life.
How to use
Using the Blood Glucose Converter
The Blood Glucose Converter helps you easily convert values between two common units used in diabetes care: mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and mmol/L (millimoles per liter). This is especially useful when:
- You are reading lab reports or glucose meter values in a different unit than you're used to.
- You are from a country that uses one unit but your doctor or reference material uses another.
Step-by-step Instructions
- Enter your blood glucose value in either the mmol/L or mg/dL field.
- The corresponding field will update instantly with the converted value.
- You can clear or change the input at any time to recalculate.
Conversion Formula
| From | To | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| mmol/L | mg/dL | mg/dL = mmol/L × 18.018 |
| mg/dL | mmol/L | mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 18.018 |
Reference Ranges
Below are standard fasting glucose reference values:
- Normal: 4.0 – 5.5 mmol/L (72 – 99 mg/dL)
- Pre-diabetic: 5.6 – 6.9 mmol/L (100 – 125 mg/dL)
- Diabetic: ≥ 7.0 mmol/L (≥ 126 mg/dL)
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized glucose targets. This calculator is intended for educational use and not for clinical diagnosis or decision-making.